First of all one will need to apply for a National Insurance Number at http://nationalinsurancenumber.co.uk online fast track this cost about anything from £39-£84.Also it is worth contacting a Colombia Contact UKTI Contact Elvira Martinez e-mail: elviramartinez@fco.gov.uk or contact her on telephone number + 57 13 26 8263. Then you will need to go to http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/index.htm (on the far right hand side is a box that says Business & click on where it says starting a business /also go into import and export and this will give you some information that you require to get you going). The main paperwork you will need for Colombia is as follows:

www. hmrc.gov/uk/jccc/CIPS/2013/CIP 13-47.pdf Customs information paper 13 (47) HM Revenue and Customs printed on the 1st August 2013.You will also need a Notice 826 and a DT2140+ Double Taxation Relief Manual - Colombia DT5050+, Colombia http://www.gov.uk/importing.Should you need any assistance with VAT/Excise and Customs the helpline number is 0845 010 9000 or depending on your telephone provide you could try the new Freephone number on 0300 200 3700. If you are going to send large shipments you will also need an EORI and a VAT Number if you are not VAT Registered you will need a C220A EORI or if you are VAT Registered you will need a C220 these can both be done online for VAT this is done on their business page for an EORI you can fill out the form online or e-mail eori@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk or write to them at EORI Phase 2 13th floor (South) Government Building Ty Glas Llanishen Cardiff CF14 5YA.One needs to go to http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/dtmanual/ and apply for or look at(I) DT 5050 Colombia- No Agreement (ii) DT 5051 Unilateral Relief (iii) DT 5052 DT:

Colombia Underlying Tax. DT501 - Colombia Unilateral Relief /Income Tax (impuesto sobre la renta) including withholding on account thereof on payments made abroad . Surtax on remittances (impuesto complementario de remesas) Special Contribution Tax. There is also the British Embassy Bogota- Gov. UK https://www.gov.uk/government/world/british-embassy-colombia. Also you could look up your nearest Chamber of Commerce as they have all the necessary forms if not they can put you through to other organisations that send items to Colombia. Here some organisations that are recommended by UKTI (I) Mentorsme.co.uk,ICAEW Business Advice Service, Export for Prosperity, Starting to Export Guide, Practicalities and legal requirements for exporting. For other forms and advice there is Tate's Export Guide call 01908 221 162 or e-mail: enquiries@tatefreightfroms.co.uk.If you do not know what Tariff Classifications you require for what you are sending then one needs to go to https://www.gov.uk/findingcommodity-codes or https://www.gov.uk/classification-of-goods ,www.exporttariffnibusiness.co.uk, and then look at www.hmrc tariff classifications customshmrc.gov.uk/...channels/PortalWebApp.Portal?_...Also you will need your Trade and Tariff HS Codes https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariffwww.revenue ie (for you to look at only).I hope this is of some use, as I have not sent anything to Colombia for a while. Rosa

Last year and it was for an earthquake because I voluntarily send out equipment mostly for Disaster Relief and Emergency Planning. I sent out medical equipment and nutritional packs as emergency essentials.

Currently there are no export taxes, duties or levies in force on goods being exported from the EU.

As regards paperwork, you will find Customs procedures and requirements outlined in our ‘Guide to Importing and Export’. It can be found on our website www.hmrc.gov.uk. Click on ‘Import/Export’ in the top right-hand corner of the Site’s home page.

Great to hear that you're looking to export duvets and duvet covers, and children and baby clothes to Colombia.

I can see that my colleagues have provided you with sources of information relating to the customs fees, export fees and paperwork and the exporting process. You may find it useful to know that UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) offers a service called the Export Communications Review (ECR) which can help you to optimise your website for international trade, making you visible in search engines in Colombia and other countries. This will help you to generate new buyers and sales online, as well as finding new agents or distributors.

I am the accredited ECR consultant for UKTI in London and the South East If you'd like to find out more, please take a look at www.growglobal.com under Services or send us a message on ecr@growglobal.com.